[...]according to Sundberg, games are supposed to be entertainment.[...] -GS
"We've never had any ambition to go very deep with our narrative and focused more on explosive fun. It's entertainment! I have no ambitions to make players cry or have any deeper feelings," -Sundberg I believe that in neither that quote or the whole Edge interview he actually said that games are supposed to be entertainment. He was obviously talking about his own games (reading the whole interview and the context in which he states it can confirm that), games that he strive to be just fun. And that's pretty okay by my viewpoint.
Gamespot should watch out for - I hope - unintentional sensationalism. This hurts the industry just as much as creators that state objectively that games are just pure fun. But I take no issue, of course, in mindless fun games existing.
People should understand that entertainment journalism CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be deprived from opinion. It cannot exist without opinion. And counter-arguing or explaining your disagreement is not the same as being a d*ck. I support those kinds of articles way more than I support "feature!! the latest insights on the silver detail insignia engraved on the trigger of Master Chief's handgun!!!!" or some sh*t like that.
@david1230 well, I respect David Cage and all, but he's completely ignoring the most commented game of the last two months...instead of bragging about how the industry doesn't grow up, how about he look at the state of the whole industry right now and point out the good stuff?
@TomMcShea I'll pick it up, then. Atmosphere's usually a big deal for me too in these games, and this game has a great sense of it. Thanks for replying!
Hey Tom, do you think the combat could be more enjoyable at higher difficulty settings, or the lack of depth/progression will make it tedious anyway? I'm short of money this month, and still thinking if I should give this one a shot. (I'm a big Castlevania fan, and this game kinda resembles it for me...specially the terrible dialogue, rs)
Memorable music is not a thing of past games and is neither something dead in anyway, it just has a lot to do with genres. Platformers allow for simple and more authoral melodies, and they're still there, with platformers (go play MeatBoy, Fez, Braid or VVVVVV, they all have awesome memorable hummable tunes). RPG's need themes that help the player to connect with the story (and J-RPG's are kind of in a slow pace right now...oh well). But shooters - today's popular genre - don't require a memorable tune playing in the back (though sometimes you have gems like the Halo 3 soundtrack, or Metroid Prime's...but they're sci-fi, so I guess it's different). Specially military shooters, when it's about the expericence of being in a battlefield (or at least they say it is), where the shooting and explosions come first, and a theme song, if needed, comes second. Also, there are more games (like, MUCH MORE) nowadays, and more composers, and new technology, and this technology can help not only good, but bad composers. A well-produced generic song can pass unnoticed, while it was difficult to do it back then with only 3 tracks midi composing. Today's games have complex themes filled with instrument layers (sometimes brilliantly mixed together). Great composers are hard to find, but they're still there. There's just so many games being launched, that we forget to praise them.
Special mention here to Bastion's whole soundtrack...and Katamari. Talking about memorable...I know how to sing that and I don't even speak japanese.
I recommend searching for the Extra Credits episode about game music and you'll get some more about why you shouldn't just say videogame music has changed to worse, and why today's themes aren't any less memorable than yesterday's. Also, good episode of OWTN:IWTO! I like when this subject is brought to discussion. Keep up the good work!
McShea wanted Goodrich to say that the game is that way because "it needs to sell, because they're EA and they make entertainment products and not art". Goodrich deviated from that (he is kinda obliged by contract and IP selling obligations), but he hinted something like it saying "that's the way we can do it in THIS media". I think with "THIS media" he means comercial games. Either that, or he has a very narrow perspective of what you can do with videogames. I agree with McShea with all my heart, but there's no way you can make those questions about a EA popular franchise and expect the creator to answer honestly. I also agree that if the way these games are presented is the closest you can get to a real combat zone in a popular comercial shooter franchise, then those games should stop being made and should give way to things like ARMA and Flashpoint and serious games about war. Like McShea said, war games should be engaging, not FUN. I appreciate Goodrich caring enough about his game to sit and talk to Gamespot. Made for good journalism also, great E3 cover, guys!
Great review as always, Carolyn! This game is probably awesome for fans of the genre, and the 8.5 grade seems appropriate for a game that innovates so little but still executes so much.
georgeschall's comments